CLERGY LOBBY FOR GAY RIGHTS AT IL CAPITOL
Springfield, IL - On Wednesday, March 5, 2004, dozens of clergy will come to the Illinois capitol to urge passage of legislation to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment and housing. The clergy will also meet with Senate President Emil Jones.

"Discrimination, regardless of its basis, is immoral and should be illegal," states Rev. Jennifer Kottler, Director of Education and Outreach for Protestants for the Common Good one of the sponsors of the lobby day for clergy. "The overriding Christian ethic is love -- the love of God and love of neighbor. These two cannot be separated."

"The major mainstream Protestant denominations, conservative and reform rabbinical associations and the major organizations of Roman Catholic nuns support this type of nondiscrimination legislation," said Rick Garcia director of Equality Illinois. "These pastors, today, demonstrate that people of faith do support the basic civil rights of lesbian women and gay men."